Judah goes into exile and the temple is burned and plundered (2 Kings 24: 10-14)

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia sent troops to attack Jerusalem soon after Jehoiachin became king. During the attack, Nebuchadnezzar himself arrived at the city. Jehoiachin immediately surrendered, together with his mother and his servants, as well as his army officers and officials. Then Nebuchadnezzar had Jehoiachin arrested. These things took place in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule in Babylonia. The LORD had warned that someday the treasures would be taken from the royal palace and from the temple, including the gold objects that Solomon had made for the temple. And that's exactly what Nebuchadneazzar ordered his soldiers to do. He also led away as prisoners the Jerusalem officials, the military leaders, and the skilled workers - ten thousand in all. Only the very poorest people were left in Judah. Earlier, the Kingdom of Israel was led into exile by Assyria for walking in the ways of Jeroboam and not in the ways of their Lord. Now, more than a hundred years later, Judah falls into the same snare because their kings after Josiah cared not for the Law of God, but instead acted like the other nations. The ultimate divine punishment is removal from the land of inheritance. The Kingdom of Israel never returned to their land, but as we shall see, Judah will be given a second chance some seventy years later when the Persian, through the influence of Father-Go, will grant Judah the chance to return to their homeland jand rebuild their temple. Daily Prayer: Father, your mercies are new every day. I have learned that unless a man is "born again," he will never inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. It is necessary to be born of the spirit and not from the flesh, because the flesh and the spirit are at war with each other. This is what is known as baptism of the spirit, where I am permanently sealed by your spirit for everlasting life. Come Lord Jesus Amen.